Reported crime in Devon and Cornwall has risen by 22 per cent in the last year - well above the national average rise of 13 per cent.

However, Devon & Cornwall Police has played down the surge in crime, pointing out that the region has the seventh lowest crime rate in England and Wales - and that reported crime is rising across the country.

But the latest crime data figures shows the increase in reported crime in Devon and Cornwall was one of the sharpest in England and Wales.

There were 103,656 crimes recorded by Devon and Cornwall Police in the12 months to March 2018, or one every five minutes.

Sexual offences were up 32 per cent, robbery up 22 per cent and vehicle crime up 25 per cent. There was one crime committed for every 17 people in the two counties last year, a lower rate than the one in 12 across England and Wales. Overall police recorded crime was up 13 per cent in England and Wales. Knife crime was up 16 per cent across England and Wales according to the police crime figures.

Read More

Meanwhile NHS data shows a 15 per cent rise in people admitted to hospital after being assaulted with a knife. And the number of homicides rose for the fourth year in a row.

Authorities measure crime in two ways - by the number of offences recorded by the police as well as using victim surveys carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These victim surveys have shown that crime has generally fallen since a peak in the mid-1990s.

According to the crime survey most types of crime stayed a similar rate to last year, although vehicle-related thefts rose while crimes involving computers fell.

In statement on its website, police said: “Devon & Cornwall Police has the 7th lowest crime rate in England and Wales.

Read More

“The figures, which were published today, Thursday 19 July 2018, show a rise in recorded crime, which is being seen across the country.

Police using a battering ram to force their way into the property (Image: Jon Bishop)

"Overall reported crime between April 2017 and March 2018 increased by approximately 22 per cent in Devon and Cornwall, which compares to a national rise of 13 per cent.”

Deputy Chief Constable David Lewis said: "The increase in reported crime across Devon and Cornwall mirrors national trends and is in part down to improvements in recording crime and the public having a greater confidence in reporting crime to us.

“According to the Crime Survey in England and Wales, the perceived risk of becoming a victim of crime remains low, with Devon and Cornwall being the 4th lowest in the country for perceived risk of household crime.

“It is also important to note that following a survey on victim satisfaction, 77 per cent of priority victims and 86 per cent of domestic abuse victims were satisfied with the services received from the Force and we have worked hard to improve our response in a number of key crime areas such as rape, sexual offences, modern slavery and domestic abuse.

Read More

“In recent years we have seen a rise in both current and historic reporting in these areas, and I am encouraged that victims are finding the courage to come forward and reach out to us knowing that that they will be supported.

“We have also actively changed recording practices which is positively impacting upon these figures. Our improved practices as reflected in Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) report, which graded us as ‘good’ for our crime recording, continue to result in increases in our recorded levels of crime.

Police attend an incident (Image: Penny Cross / File Image)

“No victim should suffer in silence. Devon & Cornwall Police will continue to work hard to support victims and to give a voice to each and every one of them, regardless if this sees a rise in our crime figures.

“We aim to deliver an outcome that puts the safeguarding and the wishes of victims at the heart of our investigations and where appropriate bring offenders to justice.

Read More

“I am confident that not only are my staff and officers working hard to protect and serve the public of Devon and Cornwall, but that this part of the country continues to remain a safe place to live, work and visit, and that the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is still very low.”